Chu Cheng is in his forties, with a big belly and a fat body. His round, fat face makes people feel particularly kind when he smiles.
But he was not like this more than thirty years ago. At that time, he was as skinny as a stick, and he followed his family in exile from his hometown in Fufeng County to Yizhou to escape the war. After these years of taking root in Sichuan and working hard, Chu Cheng and his parents finally accumulated a considerable family fortune and successfully opened a restaurant in Chengdu. Although two brothers and two sisters died young due to fleeing, and their parents also passed away more than ten years ago, the Chu family is now thin, but as long as they guard this Mingyan Building, they can pass on the family business.
It seems like this to outsiders, but Chu Cheng knows that since he became the principal of Cao Wei, this kind of plain and happy life has become his luxury wish. Chu Cheng leaned behind the counter and couldn't help but recall the past ten years ago.
I remember that it was the eighteenth year of Jian'an and the third year after Liu Bei entered Shu. Two Han clan clansmen were still fighting fiercely for the position of the master of Yizhou. For a while, war was raging in Shu and there was endless killing. From that time on, Chu Cheng, whose business had been affected by the war, had no good impression of Liu Bei, whose benevolence and righteousness was spread throughout the country, but he even disliked Liu Zhang, who was weak, incompetent, and conniving at the powerful, so he began to look forward to Prime Minister Cao who ruled his hometown. , I hope Prime Minister Cao will send troops to wipe out the two Lius, so that my family can have the opportunity to return to their hometown in Fufeng.
Just when he had an inexplicable affection for Cao Cao, the hero of the north, Cao Cao saw that Liu Bei had begun to attack Yizhou, so he sent a large number of spies to the middle of Shu to find out the news. In order to develop members, Cao Jun's school officials turned their attention to grassroots northern people like Chu Cheng. After some temptations, Chu Cheng joined Cao Jun's school affairs office behind his family's back. From then on, Chu Cheng's Mingyan House became a contact point for Cao Jun.
Looking back on his ten years of fine craftsmanship, Chu Cheng didn't know whether the choice he made at that time was right or wrong, but even if he felt regretful, it was impossible to get off the ship.
"Store, do you have any private rooms?" A question brought Chu Cheng back from his memories to reality.
"Also, I will take the customers over right now." When Chu Cheng saw the customers coming, he quickly came out from the counter to greet them. There were not many clerks in his shop, so sometimes he, the shop owner, needed to greet them personally.
He took the guest with the bamboo hat to the private room in the corner of the second floor, turned the sign hanging outside the door to the side that read "No guests allowed," and then closed the door tightly. After entering the door, Chu Cheng did not say a word to invite the guests to sit down. Instead, he pressed a spot on the wall on the left. A small door was exposed, and Chu Cheng should get in first. The guest was not surprised when he saw this, and followed him into the small door without saying a word. There was a secret room inside.
Chu Cheng turned the oil lamp on the wall and the small door closed by itself. The mezzanine is not big, just enough for a two-foot-square low table, with two straw mats placed next to the low table. The two of them knelt on the straw mat. The guest took off his bamboo hat and put it aside, revealing his full beard.
Seeing this, Chu Cheng smiled softly and said, "Brother, I almost deceived my younger brother with my makeup today. If I hadn't seen the ring on your right thumb, I would not have dared to recognize you."
"Haha, we met in the daytime. If I didn't completely change my appearance, I wouldn't dare to come here to see you."
It turned out that the person coming was Wang Pu. After talking to Xia Houyue yesterday, he came to this contact point to report the situation to the superiors today. Chu Cheng was Wang Pu's upline and was responsible for not only transmitting Wang Pu's intelligence reports, but also reporting to Wang Pu. Convey the command to the summit.
"Enough chatter, what important news do you have here today?" Chu Cheng asked eagerly.
Wang Pu said: "Xia Houyue has agreed to submit to the Wei Dynasty and join us."
"Oh? This is good news." Chu Chengxi said: "Now Xia Houyue is more important. She is willing to work for us not only to master the batch of ordnance materials, but more importantly, to find out about Xi Shu in the future. It’s much easier to get the message.”
"Is this woman sincere?" After Chu Cheng was happy, he asked worriedly.
Wang Pu replied: "It should be true. This woman has been very thoughtful since she was a child. In the past, Liu Bei's power was booming, so it is understandable that this woman does not want to get involved. But now that the Han Dynasty has died, and the power of Western Shu is in decline, she wants to Revitalizing the Xiahou family will naturally embrace the thigh of our Wei Kingdom. What's more, I scared her with Xinlan's death, so she had to join us out of fear."
Wasn't Xinlan killed by Zhu Ba because of his lust? How could Wang Pu still use this to scare Xia Houyue? Chu Cheng was puzzled and curiously asked the reason. Wang Pu smiled and said: "I said that Xinlan was executed because of her incompetence in doing things, so I told Xia Houyue that I was already very angry and impatient when she refused to submit to her for a long time. This time she died. It's Xinlan, and I might kill her regardless of the consequences next time. After hearing my threat, she didn't dare to use exposing me as a bargaining chip, so she obediently agreed to my request."
Chu Cheng never expected that Wang Pu could use Xinlan's death to write such an article, and he sincerely praised: "It's really high, I admire it." Wang Puqian said: "I am just trying to get my wits out of a hurry. Alas, I just feel sorry for him. The child Lan did not die in a royal matter, but died in an accident. In the future, if he succeeds in great things, he must be able to compensate his family."
"This is natural. Since Xia Houyue agreed, what is Brother Wang's next step?"
Wang Pu sneered and said: "I am following Qing Que's plan. Huh, it's just that this girl Xia Houyue is afraid that I will burn the bridge when I cross the river. I have to give her a status, so she agreed to hand over the jade pendant."
Chu Cheng said: "Haha, that's easy to say. I'm still afraid that she won't jump on our ship. After I report it to Qingque, I will give her a status and protection. But her use must be done step by step. Only Only if you can completely trust her can you allow her to access confidential matters."
Wang Pu nodded and said, "Of course, I will act according to the rules."
"Okay, I've been here not long, it's time to go out and order food."
Wang Pu took the bamboo hat and said with a smile: "Haha, don't worry, I won't eat for free at your place." Seeing him making fun of himself, Chu Cheng snorted: "You old guy, I am a wine shop, so of course I don't eat for free. The principle of drinking for free.”
Tonight in Chengdu, it is not only freezing cold, but also dark. Most of the pedestrians on the street are hurrying to their homes. The same was true for Yang Qing, but at this time he was sitting in the carriage and holding a copper heater, but he didn't feel cold at all.
Naturally, he had no money to buy a carriage and provide drivers and guards. These were all allocated to him by the public. During these days, he presented tea and farm tools, and his contribution was considerable. Zhuge Liang was reluctant to promote him. Seeing that he lived in Shaocheng and had a long way to go to get promoted, he rewarded him with a carriage as a means of transportation. He also ordered his subordinate Ma Zhong to allocate ten personal guards to protect his safety.
In fact, Yang Qing wanted some real money. Although the carriage was good, he couldn't sell it. Besides, he narrowly guessed that Zhuge Liang gave him a carriage because he wanted him to go to the prime minister's house earlier. Is it worth it and will it be worth it later? You must know that after becoming an official, Yang Qing mostly went up and down according to the points, while other officials in the Prime Minister's Mansion, under the influence of Zhuge Liang, mostly returned from early to late, quite similar to the style of later generations.
Doesn't the Prime Minister also want him to do this? Yang Qing complained in his heart. At this time, Zhou Xing outside the car knocked on the window: "Master Secretary, your home is here."
Zhou Xing was the guard who accompanied him to Du'anyan last time. That time the Qiang attacked from the cliff of the back mountain. Yang Qing's sword Qingyuan was lent to this person, thus turning the tide of the battle in one fell swoop. When selecting guards this time, Yang Qing asked Zhou Xing from Ma Zhong to serve as his guard leader. In fact, he still wanted Shen Da's, but Ma Zhong refused because Shen Da's military rank was not low, which disappointed him. Fortunately, Zhou Xing is also a good choice for his protector. He is skilled in swordsmanship and thoughtful, and Yang Qing feels more at ease with him protecting him.
"Now that you're home, you and the other brothers should go back and rest early." Originally, the guards were supposed to live in his home and protect them at all times, but there was no room for him in this small courtyard, so Zhou Xing and the others were not far away. The office also found a small courtyard to rent, and three people were left on duty here every night. If anything happened, Yang Qing could call for help at any time.
Yang Qing returned to the main hall and rested for a while, when he heard someone knocking on the door outside the house. Two heavy knocks were followed by two soft knocks, and finally there were two heavy knocks. This was the secret code agreed between him and Xia Houyue. This small courtyard originally had a small door connected to the main residence of Xiahou Mansion, but it had been sealed up for renting out. Since the undercover plan was decided, this door was secretly opened in order to facilitate secret meetings. Of course It still looks blocked from the outside.
"You're here." Yang Qing opened the door and let Xia Houyue in. Yang Qing did not go home last night, so Xia Houyue contacted Han Chong today and asked Han Chong to inform him to come back tonight for discussion.
Yang Qing poured a cup of hot tea for Xia Houyue and said relaxedly: "I have heard what happened from Captain Han. My wife has done a good job. Wang Pu has fallen into the trap. From now on, we just need to follow the strategy set by the three of us." Just act.”
"It's just... Wang Pu wants to use the slave family... to get confidential information from Lang Jun. I'm afraid..." Xia Houyue said hesitantly, her voice The sound gets quieter toward the back.
Yang Qing glanced at her calmly and saw a blush on her snow-white face. Her pretty face looked even more delicate under the dim light. She couldn't help but feel a little crazy for a moment.
"Ahem."
A cough brought him back to reality. He hurriedly gathered his thoughts, sat upright, and cursed secretly to himself. He knew clearly why Xia Houyue was hesitant just now. Han Chong had already told him that Wang Pu and the others had set up a honey trap. At that time, Han Chong's expression was very strange and he seemed to understand, which made him angry. Extremely embarrassed. Unexpectedly, when Xia Houyue said it himself when he returned home, the atmosphere would become even more embarrassing.
Yang Qing quickly changed the topic: "It's easy to say, just cooperate with Qing. But next, my wife will have to go deep into the tiger's den to face enemies like jackals, so I'm really worried."
"Don't worry, Yang Langjun. The slave family will be careful in everything. Besides, with the support of you and Lieutenant Han, I will not be afraid of danger." Speaking of lurking next to Wang Pu, Xia Houyue changed her previous embarrassment, and a look appeared on her face. Showing strength.
Yang Qing nodded. There was no turning back now, so he had to deal with it with all his strength. Fortunately, the enemy had not noticed that they had been tricked yet. Han Chong, Wei Min and the others were experienced espionage experts, so it should not be a big problem.
